Day One Recap: 2014 Food & Community Gathering

#HarvestChange
May 19, 2014

Nearly 600 leaders in the
“good food movement” convened in Detroit for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s 2014 Food & Community
Gathering held on May 20-22. With a theme of “Harvesting Change,” attendees came together to continue working toward creating a more
equitable food system for our nation’s children, families and communities.

Here's a recap of the first day. Follow ongoing conversations at #HarvestChange.

The day began with a video,"Taking Root in Michigan: The
Good Food Movement," chronicling the growth of the good movement in Detroit and across the state of Michigan.

Taking Root in Michigan: The Good Food Movementkelloggfoundation

Kadiri Sennefer of the Detroit Black
Community Food Security Network opened with a rousing hip hop performance about compost (like nobody has done before), then led participants in a chorus of "Everybody counts!" in creating a more equitable food system. Detroit’s Food Warriors received a standing ovation for their spoken-word performance about food justice.

2014 Food & CommunityW.K. Kellogg Foundation

Devita Davison of Eastern Market Corporation welcomed attendees to her home city of Detroit. "We're in the middle of a rebirth and renewal, and that change is being led by grassroots organizations." She continued, "The change we're harvesting in Detroit started from the bottom up."

Food Warriors and Devita Davison open the 2014 Food & Community Gatheringkelloggfoundation

Next, Navina Khanna of Movement Strategy Center, shared that we're nearly 600 strong in the room, and acknowledged the thousands others not in the room who are part of the movement and the communities to whom we are accountable. She then led participants in an activity about what's needed to build a stronger movement.

2014 Food & Community GatheringW.K. Kellogg Foundation

What is one thing that will create change to make good food a reality? #harvestchange @WK_Kellogg_Fdn ^frEastern Market

@WK_Kellogg_Fdn #HarvestChange is one big Food System family gathering for #FoodSovereignty, We are the ONES!EAT4HEALTH DETROIT

Overwhelmed with gratitude to be in a room with amazing food system changemakers #harvestchangeJaime A. Lockwood

WKKF Vice President - Program Strategy Gail C.
Christopher and WKKF Trustee Celeste Clarke welcomed members of the gathering and spoke about the urgency of the work. Christopher shared, "You can see transformation in this movement, with sovereignty at the heart." She encouraged participants to learn from other successful movements and redouble efforts to ensure healthy, green, affordable, fair food is the norm for everyone.

Celeste Clark and Gail Christopher at the 2014 Food & Community Gatheringkelloggfoundation

We have to stand strong, the stronger we get, the greater the resistance we will face. Gail Christopher #harvestchangeTisch Food Center

Women of color lead this movement, moms, teachers, lunchladies, these are the voices I wanna hear #harvestchange @TMMcMillan @WK_Kellogg_FdnRodrigo Rodriguez

A panel of Detroit food leaders, "Movement in Action: The Detroit Good Food Experience," highlighted thriving partnerships that are creating favorable conditions for healthy, green, fair and affordable food for all. Panelists delved into how equity and justice play out in rebuilding a regional food economy. Then the next generation of food leaders took the front row and talked about the future of food in Detroit.

2014 Food & Community GatheringW.K. Kellogg Foundation

Cooperatives are the BEST way to leverage our collective power not the current capitalist system. -Malik my hero Yakini #harvestchangeSprout BC

"Food is around the corner. That is the future of food." @Jamii_Tata #harvestchangenavina khanna

"We are not just consumers, we are stakeholders. We are the market. We are the demand." #harvestchange @WK_Kellogg_FdnAdrianna Logalbo

Following the Detroit Good Food Experience, attendees participated in learning circles focused on food sovereignty. Sixteen learning circles, each facilitated by community leaders, examined points along the food system -- from seed to plate to seed -- and engaged participants in exploring opportunities for collective action toward food sovereignty for all.

2014 Food & Community GatheringW.K. Kellogg Foundation

'My focus is on the wild, the Indigenous, the native.' #foodsovereignty #harvestchangeJovan Sage

The last general session featured WKKF Program Officer Livia Marqués, who shared a myth that emphasized the power of stories. Then Salomé Muñoz of El Hombre Sobre la Tierra in Mexico, Nely Rodríguez of the Coalition of Immokalee
Workers in Florida and Cantave Jean-Baptiste of Partenariat pour le Développement in Haiti each told their stories of their communities' struggles and victories toward rebuilding food sovereignty.

Community Voices: A New Narrative (2014 Food & Community Gathering)kelloggfoundation

"Farmworkers must be the ones to define sustainable food" -Nely Rodriguez of @ciw. Ain't that the truth. #harvestchangeNina F. Ichikawa

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“We’re giving individuals the tools they need to get into a career and then we’re engaging them into the mainframe of the community,” said Roberto Torres, executive director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.

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Strong Beginnings Education Coordinator Bonita Agee (left) interacts with Keturah Bell and her son Elijah at a Strong Beginnings support group meeting for breastfeeding families in Grand Rapids, Michigan.